Doctor’s orders

SIR – When asking how much I drank for medical reviews (Letters, March 13), my GP had sound advice: “As long as it’s less than me, that will be fine.”

Kate Graeme-cook

Brixham, Devon

SIR – It seems that doctors’ questions regarding drinking and smoking are often simply box-ticking. A friend was asked how many he smoked a day. “One,” he replied honestly.

The doctor’s brow furrowed as he looked at my friend, then his sheet on the desk. “Make it half,” he said, reaching for his pen.

Ivan Dunne

Carshalton, Surrey